Owners Kristina and Greg Gaardbo have earned high marks and a devoted following for their Texas-style barbecue. Before the pandemic, the couple sold limited quantities of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and other smoked meats on the weekends. They’ve since expanded into a full-fledged restaurant with an extensive menu of craft beer and weekly specials.

Charlie Beinlich’s was created back in 1950 in the image of a north woods bar, complete with wood paneling and fish trophies on the wall. Its menu is simple: shrimp cocktail and sandwiches (grilled cheese, ham, tuna and egg salad). But the true standout is the burger. It’s a thick patty of meat, cooked on a grill, served on a toasted and buttered bun, ideally with grilled onions and a side of crispy crinkle fries. There’s nothing fancy about it, but it’s the sort of burger that makes a diner sigh afterward, “Ah, that hits the spot.” Be warned: it’s cash only.

George Trois is actually two restaurants in the same building. George Trois is a temple to fine dining with a seasonal tasting menu. Aboyer is a brasserie that mixes French classics such as moules marinière and foie gras with chicken wings and sliders. Both are run by chef Michael Lachowicz (who previously worked at the legendary Le Francais), who in recent years overhauled both dining rooms.

For North Shore residents, wings are synonymous with this Evanston institution. The chicken is fried until it’s extra crispy and then tossed in founder Joe Prudden’s tangy, buttery sauce. Spiciness ranges from mild to “suicide,” and the quintessential game day food is best paired with a side of Buff Joe’s waffle fries.

Chef Miguel Escobar, sous chef Carlos Cahue, and wine director Sergio Angel leverage this newish Mexican restaurant as a platform to highlight the cuisine they grew up eating Huandacareo in Michoacan and Huitzuco in Guerrero. Longtime colleagues and business partners of Lachowicz (Aboyer, George Trois), the trio are bestowing dishes like chile relleno (queso Oaxaca, pintos martajados) and pork rendering-laced sope manteca upon Evanston.

Chicago’s premiere Japanese market is actually tucked away in suburban Arlington Heights, where legions of longtime fans beat a path to shop for produce and Asian packaged goods. It also houses Pastry House Hippo, a bakery packed with delectable Japanese pastries, an outpost of the confectionary brand J. Sweets, and a bustling food court with stalls featuring sugary Japanese-style crepes, ramen, udon, donburi, and more.

Since it opened 40 years ago, Pita Inn has become celebrated for its falafel, shawarma, kebabs, hummus, lentil soup, and, of course, its soft and pillowy pitas. (Keeping up with the times, there are now Impossible kebabs.) But also don’t overlook the garlic sauce, which elevates anything it touches, from a pita sandwich to a plate of french fries. There are now four additional locations, plus a grocery store in Skokie.

After more than six decades of serving Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine and baked goods, it’s safe to say that Kaufman’s is a Skokie institution. Its eye-popping menagerie of delights includes house-smoked pastrami, knishes, babka, lox, and much, much more. Patrons in a hurry should check the calendar before visiting — if a Jewish holiday is coming up, expect a crowd.

Stay nourished with sizzling-hot tofu soups courtesy of this Korean stalwart in Mount Prospect. Chodang dedicates much of its menu to comforting sundubu-jjigae served in stone pots. There are several variations, including seafood, beef, and pork, and diners choose their spice level. Each order arrives with a host of banchan and an egg to poach in the broth.

Japanese chef Kenta Ikehata turned Des Plaines into a ramen destination for suburbanites and city-dwellers alike with the 2019 debut of Chicago Ramen Widely seen as one of the best noodle shops around, the restaurant specializes in tsukemen, composed of cold ramen noodles and a rich broth for dipping. The digs are unfussy and a wait is likely, but worth it. Ikehata and his team have rapidly expanded to locations in Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows.

The best bagels in Chicagoland are boiled and baked in a Lincolnwood strip mall just off I-94. This 24-hour shop slings New York-style bagels that are soft, chewy, and doughy. Grab a dozen to go or enjoy them in sandwich form, filled with lox, corned beef, or pastrami.

Italian beef aficionados know that the finest version of the sandwich is out in Elmwood Park (there's a second Johnnie’s in Arlington Heights, too). The well-seasoned beef is finely chopped and loaded onto Gonnella bread, and diners can (and should) have it dipped in jus and balanced with giardiniera or sweet peppers. On a hot day, the housemade Italian ices are also required eating.

It doesn’t get as much recognition as some Chicago taquerias but Geneva residents know Bien Trucha stacks up to the best. The town’s busiest restaurant, whose name roughly translates to “on top of one’s game,” sets the standard for Mexican dining in the suburbs with an outstanding array of tacos. The signature Bien Trucha taco — carne asada, chorizo, roasted tomatillo salsa, and a layer of melted Chihuahua cheese — is a must-try.

An essential spot for Chinese food, Katy’s is renowned for its hand-pulled noodles and fresh dumplings. Menu favorites include pan-fried potstickers, beef noodle soup, and scallion pancakes stuffed with meats and veggies.

Paul Virant's lauded restaurant has received critical acclaim and was previously a recipient of a Michelin star. The focus is on fresh, seasonal ingredients and Virant also specializes in pickling and preserving. Vie offers a three-course prix fixe menu that changes with the seasons.

Head to Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe for some divine smoked meats. The menu boasts Cajun staples, like seafood gumbo and po’ boys, but the star of the show is the barbecue. Feast on ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, and more. Can’t decide on just one? Order the three-meat sampler platter. A second Chuck’s is located in Darien.

There are several Middle Eastern restaurants in densely Arab-populated Bridgeview, but Al Bawadi stands above the others. Once guests step inside, they’re treated to Arabian décor, servers dressed in traditional outfits, and wood-fired meats and seafood. An added bonus: Every meal starts with complimentary eggplant dip. A second location is in Niles.

Wasfia Shalabi’s petite bakery Cake ‘N Bake, tucked inside a strip mall in Palos Hills, is a sugary wonderland of treats that range from classicly decorated cakes to trendy spiral croissants.

Originally founded in 1948, Schoop’s is a regional chain with 14 locations in Illinois and Indiana. With that information alone, one might (accurately) guess that the hit regional chain serves up a serious smash burger. Fans rave about its crispy edges, griddled to lacy perfection, along with decadent shakes and sundaes.